I'm putting reviews on a hiatus because of finals! I have about 40 pages to write in the next 9 days; I don't know if that's humanly possible for me but I'm going to try my best...my school doesn't have a 24/7 library, which I find extremely annoying.
Besides turning me into a zombie, not sleeping is also causing my allergies to go haywire. I have a problem with rubbing my itchy eyes until they burn in pain and lately I've noticed little fine lines appearing underneath my eyes O___O NOOOO!!!!! Any beauty bloggers who have massive allergies too? TIPS?! I'm too young for wrinkles...especially if they're self-induced!!!!
Anyway, see you all in June--I just want to graduate already!
Showing posts with label personal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label personal. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
An update - Sephora deals, Life
Sorry for lagging behind in updates! My computer is currently battling a nasty virus that may or may not be the Conficker virus. At any rate, I'll probably have to reformat my computer soon, which is going to suck. I lost the set up files and license keys for a couple things I have installed, so I'm not sure what to do.
At any rate, I've been stealthily hauling the past month. I was in NYC on Monday for a job interview *crosses fingers* and stopped by several Sephora stores. I love how Manhattan seems as if it has a Sephora every 5 blocks, hahaha. If I move to NYC this summer or next year, I swear my entire paycheck will probably go to that store. I will definitely write about my purchases as soon as I've had ample time to review them!
This week, Sephora has some awesome specials for Beauty Insiders. The deals are valid while supplies last.
1. Get a free full sized Korres Body Butter ($21 value) with any Korres Shower Gel purchase ($13) except the Lime and Sage Shower Gel for acne prone skin with code KORRESDUO
(I already took advantage of this and got the Korres Guava Body Butter everyone loves so much! Awesome deal as I'm running out of body lotion.)
2. Get a free mini foaming Philosophy Purity Cleanser with any $25 purchase with code PURITY.
(I really want to try this because of the good reviews, I may make a second purchase just to have it!)
3. Get a 5 piece sample Philosophy skincare kit at checkout with code PHL31. Comes with a 1 oz Purity liquid facial cleanser, 0.25 oz Hope in a Tube Eye and Lip Firming Cream, 0.4 oz Hope in a Jar Original Formula moisturizer, 6 ml The Microdelivery Exfoliating Face Wash, and The Microdelivery Peel (0.30 oz Step I Vitamin C/Peptide Resurfacing Crystals and 0.17 oz Step II Lactic/Salicylic Acid Activating Gel).
(I got this last month already, samples are small but great for travel.)
4. Get a free Smashbox Photofinish Primer with any purchase until 5/11/09 with code PRIMER.
(Not sure how big it is.)
These are the deals with the best value, I think. I missed out on the Benefit Gift with Purchase but that's ok, I don't think I would've liked the products much anyway.
For more deals, go to http://www.retailmenot.com/view/sephora.com. I never purchase without visiting that store! And you can also sign up at ebates.com and get some free cash back. Currently Ebates.com will give you 8% cash back for every Sephora.com purchase you make. It's an awesome site and I've saved tons of money through it. If you need a referral, here's the link. Good luck!
At any rate, I've been stealthily hauling the past month. I was in NYC on Monday for a job interview *crosses fingers* and stopped by several Sephora stores. I love how Manhattan seems as if it has a Sephora every 5 blocks, hahaha. If I move to NYC this summer or next year, I swear my entire paycheck will probably go to that store. I will definitely write about my purchases as soon as I've had ample time to review them!
This week, Sephora has some awesome specials for Beauty Insiders. The deals are valid while supplies last.
1. Get a free full sized Korres Body Butter ($21 value) with any Korres Shower Gel purchase ($13) except the Lime and Sage Shower Gel for acne prone skin with code KORRESDUO
(I already took advantage of this and got the Korres Guava Body Butter everyone loves so much! Awesome deal as I'm running out of body lotion.)
2. Get a free mini foaming Philosophy Purity Cleanser with any $25 purchase with code PURITY.
(I really want to try this because of the good reviews, I may make a second purchase just to have it!)
3. Get a 5 piece sample Philosophy skincare kit at checkout with code PHL31. Comes with a 1 oz Purity liquid facial cleanser, 0.25 oz Hope in a Tube Eye and Lip Firming Cream, 0.4 oz Hope in a Jar Original Formula moisturizer, 6 ml The Microdelivery Exfoliating Face Wash, and The Microdelivery Peel (0.30 oz Step I Vitamin C/Peptide Resurfacing Crystals and 0.17 oz Step II Lactic/Salicylic Acid Activating Gel).
(I got this last month already, samples are small but great for travel.)
4. Get a free Smashbox Photofinish Primer with any purchase until 5/11/09 with code PRIMER.
(Not sure how big it is.)
These are the deals with the best value, I think. I missed out on the Benefit Gift with Purchase but that's ok, I don't think I would've liked the products much anyway.
For more deals, go to http://www.retailmenot.com/view/sephora.com. I never purchase without visiting that store! And you can also sign up at ebates.com and get some free cash back. Currently Ebates.com will give you 8% cash back for every Sephora.com purchase you make. It's an awesome site and I've saved tons of money through it. If you need a referral, here's the link. Good luck!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Back from NYC for April madness
Just got back from NYC on Monday! My skin broke out like crazy while I was there, but I had tons of fun. School is getting pretty hectic now, and I have to diligently increase my effort on the job front, so I'll probably be updating less. But I will still have reviews, so please follow my blog and keep visiting!
Random things:
- Realized that I know how to navigate the NYC subway more than I thought I did. Managed not to get lost, though I don't own an iPhone or any sort of map!
- Was not happy when a clueless woman dropped a bottle of Sephora by OPI at the Columbus Circle store, shattering it all over my feet and recently purchased black skinny jeans, and then ran away from me without offering to help clean it up. WTF woman?!?!?! I at least deserve a free bottle of polish remover! How do I get nail polish out of fabric?!
- NARS' "universally flattering blush" shade in Orgasm is definitely not that flattering on me. But I tried on Sin and I absolutely LOVE it!!!! It will look amazing on complexions NC25 and below.
- Do not ever overdo the Urban Decay Primer Potion and Make Up Forever HD Powder around the eyes, thinking it will help keep eyeliner/mascara from smearing. You'll look like your eyes were dipped in white paste in photos.
- Was deceived into thinking Kam Man market (on Canal St, between Mott and Mulberry) in Chinatown would be less expensive for Asian snacks than M2M on 3rd Ave and 11th St. Kam Man also smells like fish. Go to M2M.
- TKettle (on St. Marks Street) makes way better jasmine green boba tea than Saint's Alp (3rd Ave and 9th St). It's also cheaper. I am never going back to Saint's Alp again.
- I went to Minca and tried their Pork Shoyu Ramen. Best. Ramen. Ever. It's on 5th St. between Ave. A and B.
- Macchiato cafe on 44th St. and Lexington is ridiculously overpriced and overhyped. They don't make pocket coffees (cost only $1) anymore. WHAT?! There is no bathroom. They slapped my $10 prosciutto sandwich together in two seconds and didn't even heat the ciabatta bread. -_-
- Don't go to Momofuku. The "Asian" food is ridiculously overpriced and way too salty. I wonder if they're secretly using MSG.
- I've gone through three mega sized boxes of Pocky already :-( Must restock!
Random things:
- Realized that I know how to navigate the NYC subway more than I thought I did. Managed not to get lost, though I don't own an iPhone or any sort of map!
- Was not happy when a clueless woman dropped a bottle of Sephora by OPI at the Columbus Circle store, shattering it all over my feet and recently purchased black skinny jeans, and then ran away from me without offering to help clean it up. WTF woman?!?!?! I at least deserve a free bottle of polish remover! How do I get nail polish out of fabric?!
- NARS' "universally flattering blush" shade in Orgasm is definitely not that flattering on me. But I tried on Sin and I absolutely LOVE it!!!! It will look amazing on complexions NC25 and below.
- Do not ever overdo the Urban Decay Primer Potion and Make Up Forever HD Powder around the eyes, thinking it will help keep eyeliner/mascara from smearing. You'll look like your eyes were dipped in white paste in photos.
- Was deceived into thinking Kam Man market (on Canal St, between Mott and Mulberry) in Chinatown would be less expensive for Asian snacks than M2M on 3rd Ave and 11th St. Kam Man also smells like fish. Go to M2M.
- TKettle (on St. Marks Street) makes way better jasmine green boba tea than Saint's Alp (3rd Ave and 9th St). It's also cheaper. I am never going back to Saint's Alp again.
- I went to Minca and tried their Pork Shoyu Ramen. Best. Ramen. Ever. It's on 5th St. between Ave. A and B.
- Macchiato cafe on 44th St. and Lexington is ridiculously overpriced and overhyped. They don't make pocket coffees (cost only $1) anymore. WHAT?! There is no bathroom. They slapped my $10 prosciutto sandwich together in two seconds and didn't even heat the ciabatta bread. -_-
- Don't go to Momofuku. The "Asian" food is ridiculously overpriced and way too salty. I wonder if they're secretly using MSG.
- I've gone through three mega sized boxes of Pocky already :-( Must restock!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Financial Woes
A little non-beauty related today...
So I am thinking about purchasing my first DSLR camera. It's secondhand, but even so, costs a few hundred dollars. I've always wanted a DSLR, and not having a functional camera is really hampering not just my blogging abilities, but also normal life (can't document anything when I go out, etc.).
BUT, being a student with extremely limited cash inflow, I don't know if I should be making this purchase now, or if I should wait until my first job to get one.
I'm also going to New York City next week, which we all know is a super expensive place, so I expect to have a huge credit card bill at the end of the month...haha.
What do I do?!
So I am thinking about purchasing my first DSLR camera. It's secondhand, but even so, costs a few hundred dollars. I've always wanted a DSLR, and not having a functional camera is really hampering not just my blogging abilities, but also normal life (can't document anything when I go out, etc.).
BUT, being a student with extremely limited cash inflow, I don't know if I should be making this purchase now, or if I should wait until my first job to get one.
I'm also going to New York City next week, which we all know is a super expensive place, so I expect to have a huge credit card bill at the end of the month...haha.
What do I do?!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
I may be turning a year older...but I don't have to look like it!
This is just a random entry about age preventative measures I've consciously added into my life to ensure I continue to age gracefully, even though I'm still young. I think the title of this entry says it all, haha...it's all about looking and feeling good! Most of my suggestions are pretty basic, but I don't think of all us always strive towards them on a daily basis.
#1. Take vitamins frequently.
I was never an avid vitamin popper, but I started this year (2009). I take a vitamin C tablet and a multivitamin tablet for teens (though I'm not in my teens anymore, sniff sniff) every morning at breakfast, and I'm good to go. I noticed such a HUGE improvement in my energy levels, mental acuity, and immune system strength (while everyone else around me was getting sick, I was perfectly fine!). You don't have to take vitamins every day, but I'd say every other day is a good way to go.
#2. Early to bed, early to rise.
This one is so hard for me, because I am not a morning person by any means. Some people wake up instantly after their alarm clock goes off, no matter how many hours they've slept, but I will definitely sleep like a rock. I go to bed when everyone else is waking up and I am awake when the world is sleeping...such a terrible habit. If you're like me, it's so painful to reverse your sleeping habits, but you have to do it for you own health. A tip is to go to bed super early, even if it means going to bed at 7 or 8pm, and waking up around 5 am. I love waking up early, because it gives my brain time to "warm up" before starting the day.
#3. Exercise!
Okay, I hate exercising too...haha! But it's crucial to elevating your mood, energy, and even positively affects your appearance, such as your skin. Since I hate lifting weights and prefer cardio, my preference is to run about half an hour to an hour in the morning after eating a light breakfast. This jump starts your metabolism for the rest of the day, which is really important if you work in an office and find yourself sitting down all the time. The initial working out is painful, but once you get yourself into an exercise routine, you'll find that it is quite addictive and you'll feel sad when you miss a day!
#4. Increasing natural liquid & fluid intake.
While it may not be necessary to drink a fixed amount of 8 glasses of water everyday, you should definitely be making sure you're hydrating yourself properly throughout the day. Cut out soda, beverages with artificial sweetners (yes, that includes most bottled juice or flavored water), as much coffee as possible. This is one area I think I've been fairly consistent in--I drink tons of water, tea, and soy milk throughout the day, and it has helped to control my hunger pangs and energy level.
#5. Sunscreen!
I think this is pretty self-explanatory...UVA and UVB rays are the #1 cause of premature aging. When applying sunscreen, you should be using half a tablespoon for your face to ensure it is protected completely. We are also advised to reapply sunscreen every 2-3 hours, but as most of us are unable to do this in a work environment, I think the best method is using a mineral powder with sunscreen to touch up your makeup. Or you could always wash your face and reapply your makeup all over again.
On a sidenote, I was watching a "behind the scenes" footage of Barbie Hsu/Xu on the set of "Corner with Love," a Taiwanese drama before. In all the scenes where she filmed outside, she had an assistant constantly follow her around with an umbrella until the cameras started rolling...and as soon as the director cut the scene the umbrella would come back up over her head. Insane, huh?! But certainly clued me into how she maintains her milky white skin--I want someone who will follow me around with an umbrella!
#6. Exfoliate daily, use retinol.
This has been the biggest skincare epiphany for me in 2008/2009. No matter how sensitive your skin is, everyone can benefit from daily exfoliation. This ensures that the dead skin cells and oil are constantly getting sloughed off and won't clog your pores or cause pimples. I love to use old coffee grounds, white sugar with cleansing oil myself; if your skin is more delicate, I suggest using a lukewarm washcloth. Also, if you read my previous post, you can understand why retinol is so important for age prevention. I'm going to be diligent about skincare and I better not see any wrinkles until I'm at least 45! Haha!
#7. Movement habits--sleep upright, don't rub eyes, watch the facial expressions.
Not doing all the things stated above can definitely affect how quickly your skin ages. Sleeping on your back ensures that gravity is evenly pushing down on your face; if you sleep on one side, gravity will eventually tug it more quickly to one side. Rubbing your eyes or face can tug at your delicate skin and tear it, especially where collagen is thinnest. Lastly, as for facial expressions--be conscious of how you move your face. For example, my mom is a chronic "frowner" and now she has these terrible furrows between her eyebrows that don't disappear even when her face is relaxed. :-( So relax your facial muscles as frequently as possible.
#8. Don't layer too many products onto the skin.
With all the frenzy towards staying youthful as long as possible, people can get overeager and excited about the skincare products out there, and end up layering too much on the skin. It is important that we use as little as possible so our skin can still breathe, and not become too reliant on the products. During my morning routine, I try to limit my products to a serum, light moisturizer, and sunscreen before applying makeup. At night, I only use a serum followed by a moisturizer and eyecream. Less is more!
#9. There's nothing wrong with caring about your appearance.
To some people, beauty is superficial. But let's be honest--society itself is superficial. And if looking like a better version of yourself will keep you happy, why not? Investing time, care, and money in your appearance also shows respect for the other people in your life. But it's important to keep the self-preoccupation in check...i.e., if you look like Michael Jackson, you probably should reevaluate your priorities.
#10. Your health and happiness comes first before anything else.
I think this is pretty self-explanatory...if you're not happy, those symptoms will begin to manifest physically at some point or another, if not already. This is similar to some advice I recently told my mom, someone who has always stressed out about her family instead of herself and isn't the healthiest person--make sure that you're happy and content, because if you're not, you will be unable to help others who rely on you in life, no matter how hard you try.
#1. Take vitamins frequently.
I was never an avid vitamin popper, but I started this year (2009). I take a vitamin C tablet and a multivitamin tablet for teens (though I'm not in my teens anymore, sniff sniff) every morning at breakfast, and I'm good to go. I noticed such a HUGE improvement in my energy levels, mental acuity, and immune system strength (while everyone else around me was getting sick, I was perfectly fine!). You don't have to take vitamins every day, but I'd say every other day is a good way to go.
#2. Early to bed, early to rise.
This one is so hard for me, because I am not a morning person by any means. Some people wake up instantly after their alarm clock goes off, no matter how many hours they've slept, but I will definitely sleep like a rock. I go to bed when everyone else is waking up and I am awake when the world is sleeping...such a terrible habit. If you're like me, it's so painful to reverse your sleeping habits, but you have to do it for you own health. A tip is to go to bed super early, even if it means going to bed at 7 or 8pm, and waking up around 5 am. I love waking up early, because it gives my brain time to "warm up" before starting the day.
#3. Exercise!
Okay, I hate exercising too...haha! But it's crucial to elevating your mood, energy, and even positively affects your appearance, such as your skin. Since I hate lifting weights and prefer cardio, my preference is to run about half an hour to an hour in the morning after eating a light breakfast. This jump starts your metabolism for the rest of the day, which is really important if you work in an office and find yourself sitting down all the time. The initial working out is painful, but once you get yourself into an exercise routine, you'll find that it is quite addictive and you'll feel sad when you miss a day!
#4. Increasing natural liquid & fluid intake.
While it may not be necessary to drink a fixed amount of 8 glasses of water everyday, you should definitely be making sure you're hydrating yourself properly throughout the day. Cut out soda, beverages with artificial sweetners (yes, that includes most bottled juice or flavored water), as much coffee as possible. This is one area I think I've been fairly consistent in--I drink tons of water, tea, and soy milk throughout the day, and it has helped to control my hunger pangs and energy level.
#5. Sunscreen!
I think this is pretty self-explanatory...UVA and UVB rays are the #1 cause of premature aging. When applying sunscreen, you should be using half a tablespoon for your face to ensure it is protected completely. We are also advised to reapply sunscreen every 2-3 hours, but as most of us are unable to do this in a work environment, I think the best method is using a mineral powder with sunscreen to touch up your makeup. Or you could always wash your face and reapply your makeup all over again.
On a sidenote, I was watching a "behind the scenes" footage of Barbie Hsu/Xu on the set of "Corner with Love," a Taiwanese drama before. In all the scenes where she filmed outside, she had an assistant constantly follow her around with an umbrella until the cameras started rolling...and as soon as the director cut the scene the umbrella would come back up over her head. Insane, huh?! But certainly clued me into how she maintains her milky white skin--I want someone who will follow me around with an umbrella!
#6. Exfoliate daily, use retinol.
This has been the biggest skincare epiphany for me in 2008/2009. No matter how sensitive your skin is, everyone can benefit from daily exfoliation. This ensures that the dead skin cells and oil are constantly getting sloughed off and won't clog your pores or cause pimples. I love to use old coffee grounds, white sugar with cleansing oil myself; if your skin is more delicate, I suggest using a lukewarm washcloth. Also, if you read my previous post, you can understand why retinol is so important for age prevention. I'm going to be diligent about skincare and I better not see any wrinkles until I'm at least 45! Haha!
#7. Movement habits--sleep upright, don't rub eyes, watch the facial expressions.
Not doing all the things stated above can definitely affect how quickly your skin ages. Sleeping on your back ensures that gravity is evenly pushing down on your face; if you sleep on one side, gravity will eventually tug it more quickly to one side. Rubbing your eyes or face can tug at your delicate skin and tear it, especially where collagen is thinnest. Lastly, as for facial expressions--be conscious of how you move your face. For example, my mom is a chronic "frowner" and now she has these terrible furrows between her eyebrows that don't disappear even when her face is relaxed. :-( So relax your facial muscles as frequently as possible.
#8. Don't layer too many products onto the skin.
With all the frenzy towards staying youthful as long as possible, people can get overeager and excited about the skincare products out there, and end up layering too much on the skin. It is important that we use as little as possible so our skin can still breathe, and not become too reliant on the products. During my morning routine, I try to limit my products to a serum, light moisturizer, and sunscreen before applying makeup. At night, I only use a serum followed by a moisturizer and eyecream. Less is more!
#9. There's nothing wrong with caring about your appearance.
To some people, beauty is superficial. But let's be honest--society itself is superficial. And if looking like a better version of yourself will keep you happy, why not? Investing time, care, and money in your appearance also shows respect for the other people in your life. But it's important to keep the self-preoccupation in check...i.e., if you look like Michael Jackson, you probably should reevaluate your priorities.
#10. Your health and happiness comes first before anything else.
I think this is pretty self-explanatory...if you're not happy, those symptoms will begin to manifest physically at some point or another, if not already. This is similar to some advice I recently told my mom, someone who has always stressed out about her family instead of herself and isn't the healthiest person--make sure that you're happy and content, because if you're not, you will be unable to help others who rely on you in life, no matter how hard you try.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Get Thee to a Target...
and take a gander at the Go International McQ Collection by Alexander McQueen!
(click to enlarge)
I'm a fan of his clothing, so this is definitely a treat. Normally I don't really bother with the Go International collections, since I find most of the clothing tacky and poor quality. However, I'm really pining for the McQ graphic t-shirt and the black dress with cream straps. The leather vest looks super cute too.
The collection drops tomorrow, March 4th!
Go here for some more photos: http://www.nylonmag.com/?section=album&albid=210
(click to enlarge)
I'm a fan of his clothing, so this is definitely a treat. Normally I don't really bother with the Go International collections, since I find most of the clothing tacky and poor quality. However, I'm really pining for the McQ graphic t-shirt and the black dress with cream straps. The leather vest looks super cute too.
The collection drops tomorrow, March 4th!
Go here for some more photos: http://www.nylonmag.com/?section=album&albid=210
Monday, March 2, 2009
Sephora Haul
Besides the Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer freebie for Beauty Insiders, Sephora is also having a 15% off sale! Time for me to make another haul!
The Goods:
Anastasia Highlighting Brow Kit (desperately need brow powder...I've always used cream eyeliner on my brows!)
Bare Escentuals Eye Quickies #1 (bought this of the rave reviews...I love highlighting products, bronzer looks awful on me for contouring)
OPI Nail Colour Drying Drops (addicted to nail polish but hate waiting for my nails to dry!)
Make Up For Ever 5 Camouflage Cream Palette in No. 1 (I don't own any concealer...I really need something for my blemishes because BB cream clogs my pores)
Make Up For Ever Camouflage Cream Concealer in Mauve (actually don't know if I'll receive this since it's "out of stock" but I was able to add it to my cart.)
So much stuff! I even wanted to get more things, but I'll resist and head to the store first and test out other things on my list. Haha.
The 15% off sale ends this Saturday, March 7th. Just add code J89LM to checkout. Unfortunately Sephora codes aren't stackable, or I totally would've snagged myself another Smashbox lid primer, haha.
I promise more substantial entries (aka reviews) soon!
The Goods:
Anastasia Highlighting Brow Kit (desperately need brow powder...I've always used cream eyeliner on my brows!)
Bare Escentuals Eye Quickies #1 (bought this of the rave reviews...I love highlighting products, bronzer looks awful on me for contouring)
OPI Nail Colour Drying Drops (addicted to nail polish but hate waiting for my nails to dry!)
Make Up For Ever 5 Camouflage Cream Palette in No. 1 (I don't own any concealer...I really need something for my blemishes because BB cream clogs my pores)
Make Up For Ever Camouflage Cream Concealer in Mauve (actually don't know if I'll receive this since it's "out of stock" but I was able to add it to my cart.)
So much stuff! I even wanted to get more things, but I'll resist and head to the store first and test out other things on my list. Haha.
The 15% off sale ends this Saturday, March 7th. Just add code J89LM to checkout. Unfortunately Sephora codes aren't stackable, or I totally would've snagged myself another Smashbox lid primer, haha.
I promise more substantial entries (aka reviews) soon!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Recent Purchases, Random Babbling
Just a quick random and personal post, because I'm not sure when I'll be able to update again. I shipped my beat up baby (aka my laptop) to repair, and I probably won't have it back until after two weeks from today. I asked for a memory upgrade, so hopefully I'll get one, cause my system is seriously soooooooo slow. Sometimes I have to wait ten minutes after logging into (not turning on, mind you) my computer for all the programs to load and settle down.
My sleeping schedule has been extremely erratic recently. My brain likes being nocturnal, but I have morning classes this semester, so I've been desperately trying to turn my internal clock around. However, it refuses to listen to me! And in an attempt to regulate my sleeping schedule, I've been pulling all-nighters just so I can make it to class and not be late. However, not sleeping at night bodes poorly on my body. I have a lot of cystic acne nodules on my forehead right now, which goes to show no matter how much you take care of your skin, it's all pointless if you don't get enough sleep.
Anyway, I just wanted to mention here in my superficial niche in cyberspace what else I've purchased recently! I am seriously breaking the bank here.
GoldSign Lusty Jeans
18th Amendment Lollobrigida High Waist Straight Leg Jean
Dolce Vita Madison Pumps
Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm (from Bloomingdales.com for the free gift with purchase!)
Marc by Marc Jacobs Biker Stud Skinny Barrette
Marc by Marc Jacobs Dr. Q Key Pouch
I haven't received the heels or the Clinique cleansing balm yet, since I just ordered those this week. I'm so happy with the jeans I purchased, though. The GoldSign pair are the perfect black skinnies I've been desperately needing, and they're SUCH high quality! I definitely recommend this brand if you're looking for high end jeans. The 18th Amendment pair is a dirty blue wash and seems of lesser quality than the GoldSign pair, but they still fit me pretty well. The inseam is 34" or so, so they're way too long, but I like to scrunch my skinnies around the ankles so that works out fine. Both pairs cost me about $100, which is pretty good considering they're high end.
It's funny how my collection of jeans just adds up throughout the years. I haven't gotten taller (just fatter, haha) since high school and now I have no idea what to do with my pile of old jeans. I can still wear them, but I don't really like them. Most of them are flared (since that was "in" then), and since I'm not very tall, I think they make me look shorter. Most are also too long for me, so I have to fold them up, and I don't have a sewing machine so I can't hem them. They don't fit me that snugly either, since I used to buy everything a size larger incase I "grew" later. I wonder what I should do with them.
On another note, I'm not entirely sure I should keep my Marc by Marc Jacobs purchases. Both were on sale, but do I really need them? The key pouch is too small to hold anything besides credit cards, id, and keys. The barrette is cute, but not something I can wear often. I'm wondering if I should return these and purchase the Bliss Peeling Groovy Serum, especially because they're giving away a free Love Handler this month with every purchase. I can't believe how expensive this serum is, though! It costs even more than my Estee Lauder Idealist! I'm sorely tempted to buy it to do a comparison...hmm.
Anyway, if you read through all my babbling, let me know what you think! I'm off to work on a huge research paper...woopee :-( Take care, all.
My sleeping schedule has been extremely erratic recently. My brain likes being nocturnal, but I have morning classes this semester, so I've been desperately trying to turn my internal clock around. However, it refuses to listen to me! And in an attempt to regulate my sleeping schedule, I've been pulling all-nighters just so I can make it to class and not be late. However, not sleeping at night bodes poorly on my body. I have a lot of cystic acne nodules on my forehead right now, which goes to show no matter how much you take care of your skin, it's all pointless if you don't get enough sleep.
Anyway, I just wanted to mention here in my superficial niche in cyberspace what else I've purchased recently! I am seriously breaking the bank here.
GoldSign Lusty Jeans
18th Amendment Lollobrigida High Waist Straight Leg Jean
Dolce Vita Madison Pumps
Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm (from Bloomingdales.com for the free gift with purchase!)
Marc by Marc Jacobs Biker Stud Skinny Barrette
Marc by Marc Jacobs Dr. Q Key Pouch
I haven't received the heels or the Clinique cleansing balm yet, since I just ordered those this week. I'm so happy with the jeans I purchased, though. The GoldSign pair are the perfect black skinnies I've been desperately needing, and they're SUCH high quality! I definitely recommend this brand if you're looking for high end jeans. The 18th Amendment pair is a dirty blue wash and seems of lesser quality than the GoldSign pair, but they still fit me pretty well. The inseam is 34" or so, so they're way too long, but I like to scrunch my skinnies around the ankles so that works out fine. Both pairs cost me about $100, which is pretty good considering they're high end.
It's funny how my collection of jeans just adds up throughout the years. I haven't gotten taller (just fatter, haha) since high school and now I have no idea what to do with my pile of old jeans. I can still wear them, but I don't really like them. Most of them are flared (since that was "in" then), and since I'm not very tall, I think they make me look shorter. Most are also too long for me, so I have to fold them up, and I don't have a sewing machine so I can't hem them. They don't fit me that snugly either, since I used to buy everything a size larger incase I "grew" later. I wonder what I should do with them.
On another note, I'm not entirely sure I should keep my Marc by Marc Jacobs purchases. Both were on sale, but do I really need them? The key pouch is too small to hold anything besides credit cards, id, and keys. The barrette is cute, but not something I can wear often. I'm wondering if I should return these and purchase the Bliss Peeling Groovy Serum, especially because they're giving away a free Love Handler this month with every purchase. I can't believe how expensive this serum is, though! It costs even more than my Estee Lauder Idealist! I'm sorely tempted to buy it to do a comparison...hmm.
Anyway, if you read through all my babbling, let me know what you think! I'm off to work on a huge research paper...woopee :-( Take care, all.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Shopbop.com Sale!!!
As if I haven't spent enough money already, Shopbop is having another sale! Mid-January, they had an additional 20% off sale on all already discounted items. Now, they have a 20% sale on ALL items! Woo hoo! (An indication of how bad retail sales must be going for them) I've had my eye on a bunch of things, but I really need well fitted skinny jeans!
Here's the code (I had to make a wishlist and send it to myself to get it):
XOXOSB
Go crazy!
Here's the code (I had to make a wishlist and send it to myself to get it):
XOXOSB
Go crazy!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Bad experiences with Ebay--HELP!
I got back to school this weekend and my sleeping schedule is so messed up. I've been completely nocturnal this entire winter break, and now I'm trying to pull an all-nighter to force myself to sleep early tomorrow night before my first classes. And I'm not really worried at all...oh, seniorititis. Haha.
Anyway, I'm blogging to get some feedback from any readers out there on my current dilemma. Around Christmas, I ordered something on Ebay from a Japanese seller who had100% positive feedback. When I hadn't received the item two weeks later, I messaged the seller to let them know. He/she immediately apologized and said they would send out the item again with a free gift. Two weeks later, I still hadn't received either the original parcel or the resent parcel. Now if you do the math, four weeks had elapsed, so it was the end of January, and I had to fly back to school. I messaged the seller again, and asked if he/she could resend the item to my school address with a tracking number. The seller then refused, citing that he/she was already out of cost for sending me the item twice, and if I really wanted the item, I could bid again and pay $10 extra for tracking. I then told the seller I would call my local post office to see if the package(s) were floating around somewhere, but if not, I would like a refund, since it didn't make any sense for me to pay twice plus $10 extra for something I never received. The seller responded by saying that since shipping was free for the item, they did not take responsibility for any losses, and could not refund me.
If you were in my situation, what would you do? I know Paypal will refund buyers who do not receive the items they pay for, but I do feel bad for the seller. Everyone else who purchased from them received their packages extremely quickly; why am I the only one who didn't, and not just once, but twice?! I am willing to wait another 2 weeks to see if either parcel turns up at my house, and ask my mom to mail it to me since she has to mail me my medication anyway, but what if it doesn't show up? If you were me and you really wanted this item, would you bid again? Or would you file a dispute and ask for a refund? Though I feel bad for the seller, money is still money...
Anyway, I'm blogging to get some feedback from any readers out there on my current dilemma. Around Christmas, I ordered something on Ebay from a Japanese seller who had100% positive feedback. When I hadn't received the item two weeks later, I messaged the seller to let them know. He/she immediately apologized and said they would send out the item again with a free gift. Two weeks later, I still hadn't received either the original parcel or the resent parcel. Now if you do the math, four weeks had elapsed, so it was the end of January, and I had to fly back to school. I messaged the seller again, and asked if he/she could resend the item to my school address with a tracking number. The seller then refused, citing that he/she was already out of cost for sending me the item twice, and if I really wanted the item, I could bid again and pay $10 extra for tracking. I then told the seller I would call my local post office to see if the package(s) were floating around somewhere, but if not, I would like a refund, since it didn't make any sense for me to pay twice plus $10 extra for something I never received. The seller responded by saying that since shipping was free for the item, they did not take responsibility for any losses, and could not refund me.
If you were in my situation, what would you do? I know Paypal will refund buyers who do not receive the items they pay for, but I do feel bad for the seller. Everyone else who purchased from them received their packages extremely quickly; why am I the only one who didn't, and not just once, but twice?! I am willing to wait another 2 weeks to see if either parcel turns up at my house, and ask my mom to mail it to me since she has to mail me my medication anyway, but what if it doesn't show up? If you were me and you really wanted this item, would you bid again? Or would you file a dispute and ask for a refund? Though I feel bad for the seller, money is still money...
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Recent Purchases
I went to the mall this afternoon to pick up my free cosmetic sample and boy, the lines were AWFUL. The line outside Macy's wrapped around the entire building in several loops. The line at Nordstrom wasn't short either, but it moved much faster. I ran into a friend who said she lined up 3 times to pick up makeup! I don't know if I would have had the time or patience to do that. Should've probably gone in the morning, but I didn't think that many people would be there. I ended up getting the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair in a 0.5 oz bottle, since I really like Estee Lauder.
My mom and I are always surprised to see how many people pack into the mall in our area. The economy is supposedly in recession, but people don't seem to be cutting back on spending. Meanwhile taxpayers are the ones bailing out corporations because of the greedy, complacent, and powerful few. I really hope our new President ensures there is more government oversight when it comes to cowboy capitalism. Everyone seems to be in love with him already, but I want to stay impartial until the man actually achieves results.
Anyway, my winter break is drawing to a close. As a college student who has no idea if she'll have a job come graduation, I spent more than I should on cosmetics and clothing. I am now declaring a purchase boycott starting today, haha. Well, here's just a summary on what I've picked up since December 2008:
- Kose Sekkisei Powder Facewash, Lotion, Emulsion, and Cream
- Clinique Derma White Advanced Brightening Essence, Moisture Cream, and City Block SPF 40++
- Majolica Majorca Lash Bone Base, Lash Gorgeous Wing Mascara in black
- MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Petticoat
- Free People purple camisole
- H&M lace lilac slip
- Marc by Marc Jacobs barrette, key pouch
- LaRok chained jacket, fringe tank
- basic black hoodie
Though a lot of the stuff I got was on sale, my bank account still feels hard hit. Well, the one flip side of going back to school soon is that I'll have a job again, thus, some extra money.
My mom and I are always surprised to see how many people pack into the mall in our area. The economy is supposedly in recession, but people don't seem to be cutting back on spending. Meanwhile taxpayers are the ones bailing out corporations because of the greedy, complacent, and powerful few. I really hope our new President ensures there is more government oversight when it comes to cowboy capitalism. Everyone seems to be in love with him already, but I want to stay impartial until the man actually achieves results.
Anyway, my winter break is drawing to a close. As a college student who has no idea if she'll have a job come graduation, I spent more than I should on cosmetics and clothing. I am now declaring a purchase boycott starting today, haha. Well, here's just a summary on what I've picked up since December 2008:
- Kose Sekkisei Powder Facewash, Lotion, Emulsion, and Cream
- Clinique Derma White Advanced Brightening Essence, Moisture Cream, and City Block SPF 40++
- Majolica Majorca Lash Bone Base, Lash Gorgeous Wing Mascara in black
- MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Petticoat
- Free People purple camisole
- H&M lace lilac slip
- Marc by Marc Jacobs barrette, key pouch
- LaRok chained jacket, fringe tank
- basic black hoodie
Though a lot of the stuff I got was on sale, my bank account still feels hard hit. Well, the one flip side of going back to school soon is that I'll have a job again, thus, some extra money.
Friday, January 2, 2009
My 2009 Minimalist Beauty Resolutions
1. Diet--more fluids, anti-oxidants. Cut out processed carbohydrates and meat.
2. Exercise--cardio as often as possible, followed by targeted workouts.
3. Skincare--exfoliate every day, never fall asleep without washing face, always use eye cream, remember to put sunscreen on areas other than face, stop rubbing eyes
4. Makeup--wear less, cut routine time to 15 minutes maximum.
5. Sleep--at least 6-8 hours a night.
Inspiration:
This is Japanese singer Mika Nakashima as on her latest album. Shot completely in natural light with minimal editing. I'm convinced she's hardly wearing any makeup, and she looks absolutely beautiful, and her skin is milky and translucent. Unfortunately, I'm not one of those girls who can get away without wearing makeup and still look decent. However, I'm going to do my best to get there as much as possible!
2. Exercise--cardio as often as possible, followed by targeted workouts.
3. Skincare--exfoliate every day, never fall asleep without washing face, always use eye cream, remember to put sunscreen on areas other than face, stop rubbing eyes
4. Makeup--wear less, cut routine time to 15 minutes maximum.
5. Sleep--at least 6-8 hours a night.
Inspiration:
This is Japanese singer Mika Nakashima as on her latest album. Shot completely in natural light with minimal editing. I'm convinced she's hardly wearing any makeup, and she looks absolutely beautiful, and her skin is milky and translucent. Unfortunately, I'm not one of those girls who can get away without wearing makeup and still look decent. However, I'm going to do my best to get there as much as possible!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
a rant
Today, I went to Nordstrom's to return a perfume. I stopped by the MAC counter because I wanted to see if they had any more Mineralize Skinfinishes in the shades I wanted left. When I asked the SA, "Hi, do you have any MSF's in So Ceylon, Petticoat, or Soft and Gentle right now?", she looked at me like I was crazy and said, "I have no idea what you're talking about."
What the heck?? How on earth are you working at MAC if you don't even know what "MSF" is, or even what product those shades are for?!?!
lame.
What the heck?? How on earth are you working at MAC if you don't even know what "MSF" is, or even what product those shades are for?!?!
lame.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Hello, hello...
Hi everybody! After perusing countless beauty blogs on the net, I decided to make my own. I got tired of not being able to find thorough reviews on the products I wanted, so why not write them? I am by no means a makeup collector or skincare guru, so I suppose that's what sets me apart from the other beauty bloggers on the Net. I have a minimalistic approach to makeup and skincare, so unfortunately I'll only be testing out items of personal interest, as I am on a student's budget after all. I do a lot of research before I buy anything, and I only want to own products that are effective. This will be an outlet for all the information I've collected and learned, and hopefully it'll help many of you make informed decisions.
What's there to know about me? My name is Rachel, I'm in my early twenties, and I'm a current college student on the verge of employment (or unemployment, considering the current economy!). I was born and raised in Southern California, but I live in New England at the moment. Some of my interests include photography, literature, cinema, good eats, fashion, pop culture, all genres of music (except country), travel, nature, and cats. Hmm...is there anything else?
What's there to know about me? My name is Rachel, I'm in my early twenties, and I'm a current college student on the verge of employment (or unemployment, considering the current economy!). I was born and raised in Southern California, but I live in New England at the moment. Some of my interests include photography, literature, cinema, good eats, fashion, pop culture, all genres of music (except country), travel, nature, and cats. Hmm...is there anything else?
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